Louie Carl Nicoli was born June 13, 1894 to Julius and Mary (Eggert) Nicoli, in Cuba Township. He grew up here, attending the local school and later the Valley City State College.

Louie met his wife, Gertrude Koehn, at a county fair and they were married November 10, 1915. Gertrude was the oldest daughter of John and Henrietta Koehn, born October 1, 1892.

Louie and Gertrude first farmed on the Julius Nicoli farm. Two daughters were born here: Hermione (Mrs. Clarence Holm of Valley City) and Doris (Mrs. Reis of Portland, Oregon).

Desiring more land the family moved five miles west and here Harvey, their son was born. Louie, a strict disciplinarian, also believed in his children receiving a good education.

Julius Nicoll died in 1927 and the family returned to the homestead to carry on the farming. In the 1930s the last child was born, Mary (Mrs. Jack Kringlie). Mary seemed to bring good luck to the family as better weather, better crops and an inheritance came in rapid succession.

In the 1950s Mr. and Mrs. Nicoli semi retired to Valley City and in 1955 built a new home and here they lived until Louie's death on July 13, 1973. Gertrude is now living at the Sheyenne Memorial Hospital. The four children are still living with fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 174